Chairperson, at the turn of the previous century the father of modern space travel, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, stated that while earth is the cradle of humankind, one does not stay in the cradle forever. Those words were prophetic, because the science and technology that emerged from it gave rise to a complex new world where humankind traverses all corners and depths of the earth and rises from our earthly cradle to meet the distant planets and stars that seemed to be unreachable before.
Hierdie departement speel 'n groot rol om te sorg dat Suid-Afrika deel bly van hierdie bre beweging van wetenskap en tegnologie wat vir ons kennis bring oor die aard van ons bestaan, asook hoe ons die toekoms kan bestuur tot voordeel van alle lewe op di kosbare blou planeet van ons.
Die departement se doelwit is dan ook om die volle potensiaal van wetenskap en tegnologie te realiseer in sosiale en ekonomiese ontwikkeling, deur menslike hulpbronne, navorsing en innovering. Die departement se prestasies, of gebrek daaraan, moet dus aan die hand van hul eie doelwitte gevalueer word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[This department plays a big role in seeing to it that South Africa remains a part of this broad movement of science and technology that brings us knowledge about the nature of our existence, as well as on how to manage the future to the benefit of all life on this precious blue planet of ours.
The department's aim therefore is also to realise the full potential of science and technology in social and economical development, through human resources, research and innovation. The department's achievements, or lack thereof, should therefore be evaluated with reference to its own targets.]
The department deserves praise for its work on the Square Kilometre Array bid and for ensuring that the country received the lion's share of the project. The SKA bid will ensure that South Africa stays a hub for scientific research into the future. Having said this, there are also serious concerns regarding other projects that have not been managed as well.
The budget report states that the purpose of the department's research, development and innovation programme is to facilitate knowledge generation and exploitation through research and development in the key priority areas of space science, bio-economy and energy.
However, if one considers the fiasco that government created regarding its proposed investment in SunSpace, so as to grow the space science capability and economy of the country, one has serious doubts regarding government's commitment to that purpose. After government decided to invest in SunSpace, it mysteriously reneged on its commitment, which in turn gave rise to the company's financial distress. Now the only private space company in Africa is going to be broken up and merged on a piecemeal basis with Denel which has its own challenges.
I understand that the Minister inherited this problem and, in discussions with me, seemed open-minded and willing to look at other alternatives. Therefore, I wish to implore the Minister to once again enter into discussions to save the company. The director-general of Trade and Industry seems keen to contemplate an investment, as it dovetails with the Industrial Policy Action Plan, but is concerned that the break-up process has now already progressed too far. I am certain that if the Minister liaised with Trade and Industry, a solution could be found. Laastens is dit kommerwekkend om te sien dat die intellektuele kapitaal of menslike hulpbronne rondom die gestaakte korrelbedkernreaktor-program nou privaat voortgaan in die VSA. Dit laat die vraag ontstaan of daar ooit genoeg gepoog is om di talent vir Suid-Afrika te behou.
Die Minister is nuut in sy pos. Hy het nou 'n geleentheid om sy eie stempel af te druk en 'n monument te bou. Die eerste hoeksteen daarvan sal inderdaad wees as hy SunSpace van 'n gewisse ondergang kan red. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Lastly, it is alarming to see the intellectual capital or human resources regarding the terminated pebble bed nuclear reactor programme now continuing privately in the USA. The question arises whether enough effort was ever put into retaining this talent for South Africa.
The Minister is new to the position. He now has an opportunity to leave his own stamp and build a monument. The first cornerstone would indeed be if he were to save SunSpace from certain demise. [Applause.]]